EU hails anti-graft efforts
The European Union (EU) has commended the Tonse Alliance government’s commitment in dealing with corruption and creating a conducive environment for businesses in the past year.
EU charge d’affaires Aurelie Valtat said this in Lilongwe on Friday during a political dialogue between Malawi Government and the EU officials hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She said: “Over the past year, the Government of Malawi had proved that it was serious about tackling corruption, creating a conducive environment for businesses, and achieving inclusive growth despite a challenging year on the economic and health [fronts].”
Valtat said the meeting offered a perfect opportunity for both partners to align their plans with the Malawi 2063 Vision and explore areas for strengthened cooperation.
Issues discussed at the meeting included Malawi’s chairmanship of Southern Af r i ca Development Community (Sadc) and the
Sadc Summit to be hosted by Lilongwe in August this year, among others.
The meeting also discussed the EU 2021- 24 Human Rights and Democracy Strategy for Malawi, Public Sector Reforms, African Union- European Union relations update, Russian influence in Eastern Europe and climate change.
In an interview yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eisenhower Mkaka said the meeting was cordial and fruitful, adding the dialogue presented an opportunity to shape the EU-Malawi cooperation for the next 12 months.
He said the meeting was historical as it was attended by more heads of mission under the EU which shows how interested the union is in Malawi.
Said Mkaka: “Malawians should look forward to a continued cordial relationship between Malawi and the EU based on mutual trust and respect. Just the attendance itself is indicative of a flourishing relationship between the EU and Malawi.”
According to a joint statement issued yesterday, both Ministry of Foreign Affairs and EU reaffirmed their commitment to keep a regular high-level political dialogue between them and to promote shared values of democracy, rule of law, good governance and human rights.
The meeting was held in accordance with Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific States to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Among the Malawi delegates were Mkaka, Minister of Finance Felix Mlusu, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo and other senior government officials from various ministries and departments.
Other EU delegates included Czech Embassy charge d’affaires Petr Petlic; Dutch Ambassador Barbara van Hellemond; German Embassy charge d’affaires Sabine Lindemann; Irish Ambassador Seamus O’Grady; Italian Ambassador Antonino Maggiore; Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Buzalski and head of cooperation of the EU Delegation to Malawi Ivo Hoefkens.
